"The One Who is Numbered Infinitely"
By: Anjellove
Chapter 4:
Day 15. Alice Festival.
I always look forward to this event every time I am here. An ear-splitting grin made its way to my face as I sat beside Koko, Ruka and Natsume in their usual cafeteria territory.
Koko had the same toothy grin on his face. "You look like Christmas." I said to him as I sat down between Natsume and Ruka, with Koko adjacent my being. His grin spread across his face wider. "Of course! Who wouldn't? It's this time one time in a year when girls are allowed in our school." His excite overflowing.
I flashed him a smile. "Girls huh." I mutter lazily, taking a sip from my water-mixed-with-medicine drink.
"And what's more is that we could freely go out these tight walls." Koko continued. Ruka's eyes twinkled. Natsume's face ghosted with a smirk. I stop momentarily. Why do I feel like trouble?
1100 o 'clock. Mall?!
"Why are we here again?" I asked Natsume. Disgust, irritation and annoyance clouding my voice. He smirked at me. "What?!" I say through gritted teeth.
"Seriously Sky, just a day in a mall wouldn't kill you." Ruka whispered with a boyish smile.
I sighed. "Where's Koko?" Then he pointed to a stall where Koko is currently with three other girls. One with a green permed hair and the other two who looks like identical twins but I don't really think they're twins –or whatever, with the same unfading grin on his face.
Natsume sat beside me on the indoor fountain, handling me some orange juice. "Dislike crowds?" he tries to keep his voice in a monotone but I can sense the amusement hidden that is currently directed at me.
I glared at him for a moment. Then a sigh escaped my lips, my head falling. "I hate it." I mutter back. Looking back up, I watch as Koko and the other girls are making their way towards us. I want to go home.
"Hate is a strong word Sky." Natsume states, gulping half of his can of squeezed-to-pulp orange. Twisting my body a bit, his eyes locked to mine. I broke to a deplorable smile. "I wish I could make you understand." But before he could make a clarification at my puzzling declaration Koko has already returned along with his new companions.
Turns out, Sumire, Anna and Nonoko are from another school (that my mother insisted me to go too) just a few blocks away from Alice Academy. Sumire Shouda, flips another mass of green locks behind her, and I could definitely see the glint on Koko's eyes. How attracted he must be to her. They dragged us almost over the whole place, and seriously, they are slave drivers! How did I become there personal baggage counter?
I let out another sigh. Turning to my side, a simple and small boutique captured my eyes. Trailing far behind them I make my way inside the store. I was greeted by a middle-aged woman. She beams at me with excitement as if finally there's customer here! I smiled back at her.
"Can I help you?" she asks. "Are you looking for a dress for your girlfriend?" she asks again. I can't help the awkward smile to creep up my face.
"I'd like to browse first." I finally answered and she nods at me.
There are all sorts of dress hanging from one clothe rack to another. I smiled. "What would be good…" I trailed off, asking myself the particular question.
"For whom?"
I practically jump backwards, holding my chest. "Natsume." I breathe out. "I lost a life span." Slowly recovering my composure, I cleared my throat. Skimming with my eyes I stopped at a certain lone black dress hanging on the far left corner of the store. A black dress accentuated with blue highlights all over, with an off shoulder sleeves but secured with black straps and it will probably flow smoothly to the floor. I unconsciously smiled at it. It'll be a great funeral dress.
Fully attracted to the piece of clothing I walk towards it. I ran my hand on the cloth. Ah, such soft fabric! Then I turned my gaze towards Natsume. "Is it any good?" I suddenly asked him making him raise his brow at me but responded anyway. "Looks fine to me." Then he shrugs his shoulders.
"For whom?" he asked again. Now it's my turn to shrug my shoulders at him. "Just for a friend." I answered casually.
Rolling his eyes at me, "I don't understand you, seriously." I laughed at his complicated expression. "Whatever. They're waiting."
30 minutes past 1200 o 'clock.
Sumire raised a green brow at me. I smiled awkwardly at her.
"Why does it feel like you're something-gone-wrong," she trailed off eyeing me like a specimen under the objectives of a microscope.
Anna shook her head. "Stop giving Sky a hard time Sumire." She scolded lightly. For a moment there, Sumire snickered at her but let subject go. I sighed. Waves of relief washing over me.
"But why the gloves?" Nonoko Ogasawara Inquisition on fire. I sighed again. But this time it was Ruka who saved my butt.
"Sky got through some tragic past." Was his only summary. I smiled at him and he returned it.
Why do I feel like I attended a magazine interview instead of a shopping spree?
I then continued to sip my orange juice. Glancing around, my eyes met with blood-shot eyes. It stopped there for a moment.
-Natsume staring at me
-Me, staring back at him.
-Staring competition starts.
And from the depths of his eyes I could make out only coldness and something else? Doubt? But why would he doubt me?
I shook my head. Ending our eye ball game and dismissing the thoughts of him knowing my true being. I gulp down the juice quickly when I heard Koko saying something like going back to the academy.
Exit. –The Disadvantages of heavy metals-
"I think there would be quite a firework display tonight." Koko mumbled making the girls squeal in delight. I rolled my eyes. How can they produce such sounds? I don't even know how to scream. Well I wasn't able to scream when a truck mistook me as part of the road. He just sped up past me and next thing I knew? Oh, bystanders doing nothing but watching me die.
Suddenly I felt a pang in my chest. I groan, grabbing the most stable thing nearest to me (or person). Nastume. Dipshiitake.
"You okay?" he asked. Warm, big hands steadying me. I nod at him. Somehow, I suddenly felt safe. Why?
Still, with his hands on my shoulders we tried to get past the security guards. Tried. Until. BLEEEP! The metal detector alarmed alarmingly. I sighed. Remind me to take my arm off when in the mall.
I smiled at Natsume. "You go first." Though hesitant, he complied and went out with all the others.
I shook my head. I definitely need a break at this.
Back at Alice Academy.
By the time I was able to set foot on the academy the pace of my breathing has become totally ragged. I was panting, wanting for rest, and feeling suffocated. Still, I stood up straight trying to make my dizziness go away but I could feel red pools staring intently at me making me feel like Natsume's gaze is boring holes at the back of my head.
Way to go, my lungs! Way to go, *type of cancer here*!
A sigh left me as soon as my eyes were on our dorm building. I really need to rest. I need the bed right now!
Turning to my back, Natsume stopped in his tracks. "What?" he asked suddenly annoyed. I shook my head. "I think I have to go back now." His brow quirked up, obviously curious as to what's happening to me. Automatically a smile was plastered on my face.
"I don't really feel any better." I said with all honesty hoping to end it there. I seriously need it. Now. Suddenly, his eyes soften at me. His hand finding its way to my head, patting it lightly. "Rest well," he says and escorts me to the entrance of the dorm building.
1900 o 'clock. My dorm room.
I gasp again, trying to breathe another mouthful of oxygen. Tossing and turning, feeling like the arms of the fan going round over and over again. Turning again I scrunch my eyes but sleep doesn't quite agree with me tonight. Finally I sat up on my bed, exasperation filling me in.
"Mercy!" I groaned out and was about to peel off my sweat shirt, as I am currently and fully drenched in sweat.
About to.
"Sky…you,"
Damn.
-Me, horror-stricken
-Staring at Natsume who was on my terrace
-Natsume, staring at my boobs
-He stares some more.
-And some more.
Damn. With panic taking the better of me I drew my shirt down and raced towards him. His red eyes wide, his expression unfathomable and deep, deep down I could sense his anger, like I betrayed him.
Well, let's face it. I did, but it's not like I have any intention of hurting him or anybody else. I am just here in this academy to live out my life.
"What are you doing here?" I hissed at him.
His brows creased. "What are you doing here?" he threw the question back at me. Voice rising a little and fist balled that his hand might have turned white.
"Why are you in my terrace?" I asked again.
A sarcastic laugh escaped his lips. "Why are you in an all-boys school?" he snapped at me.
Oh Damn. Just Damn.
He made his way inside my room and with every step he took closer to me I instinctively moved backwards. It occurred for several times until I felt the edge of the bed at the back of knees. His shadow looming over me and his anger top notching the thermometer.
"Calm down Natsume. It's not what you think it is." I tried my luck to reason with him.
He chuckled darkly. "Not what I think it is? Then tell me what this is about!"
I cringed. This is the first time in four years that someone yelled at me. And it's not making me feel any better. Calm down Sakura. Calm down. I tried telling myself. "I have my reasons."
He's not convinced, I know.
A bitter smirk crossed his face. "Then damn those reasons!" he yelled again and made his way to the door. Oh no! Not good. Try to stop him Sakura, try to stop him! My body, as if having a mind of its own ran over to where he is and grabbed his arm even before he could turn the knob.
"You're not stopping me." He threatened.
"Listen to me."
"What the point? I'm reporting this."
"Please, just listen to me." I begged again.
He scowled. "Let me go this instant!"
"I said listen to me!"
What the F! I…
Okay. This was not my plan.
I could see his eyes widening at the impact. That kind of pleasurable impact as I pulled him down to me and found my lips covering his.